Self Criticism

One of the more annoying, peace stealers, I still battle, is self criticism.

I have always been harder on myself than anyone else around me.

Even on my spiritual walk. I am much more judgmental and critical of my own progress than I would ever be of another. If I heard someone talk to a friend, the way I sometimes talk to myself, I would probably intervene.

Yet, I have this program running inside which says I never quite measure up.

As if there is some insatiable, unseen demon I am striving to please, but never quite get there. “You can always do better.” He says. “Don’t get big headed, anyone could do this.” is another, frequent chant.

The list goes on and on.

When I am centered in love, I notice the voice, muse “You are still with me, eh?”, and move on.

When I am not so balanced, I feel the pain of not being all I had hoped to be by now.

We all have voices, some form of “inner critic”, which seem to want us to be small. “Don’t draw attention to yourself.” It may remind us.

I know this is the voice of fear. It only has power, when I have forgotten who I am. It only causes me pain when I am not in the flow of Love.

Today, I will be in-Love. I will love myself in a gentle, non-judging manner. When the voice comes, I will love it too, for it has undoubtedly helped bring me to this point in my life.

I am so thankful to be where I am today. I will remember this when the voice insists, “But you are not nearly as far along as you should be.”